4. Paco asked if the Taj Mahal was very far

Icono IDevice Reading activity
After having a shower in the hotel in New Delhi, Paco went downstairs and met a woman at the reception desk dressed in typical Indian costumes. Paco wants to visit the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, so he asked her if it was very far. The receptionist told him that Agra, where the mausoleum is located, is approximately 200 km. away from New Delhi. And she added that the best way to go there was by car. He wanted to know where he could rent a car in the city. The kind receptionist answered that there was a car-hire business near the hotel. He only had to go down the street and turn the second left. She said it was fifty metres from the corner of the street. Paco thanked her for the information and went out of the hotel. Then the receptionist asked him to wait a moment. Paco turned round and the receptionist asked him if he would like to have a postcard of the Taj Mahal. Paco said he would love to. This is the postcard she gave him.

 

The Taj Mahal

Located in Agra, India, this mausoleum was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal.

It combines elements from Persian, Indian and Islamic architectural styles. It was cited as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage.

By betta design. C. Commons
  
Paco thanked her for the postcard and left the hotel.

Read the passage carefully and underline all those sentences in the reported speech.


Statements (affirmative and negative)
The receptionist told him that Agra, where the mausoleum is located, is approximately 200 km. away from New Delhi.
...she added that the best way to go there was by car.
The kind receptionist answered that there was a car-hire business near the hotel.
He only had to go down the street and turn the second left.
She said it was fifty metres from the corner of the street.
Paco thanked her for the information.
Paco said he would love to.

 

Questions
...he asked her if it was very far.
He wanted to know where he could rent a car in the city.
...the receptionist asked him if he would like to have a postcard of the Taj Mahal

 

Commands
...the receptionist asked him to wait a moment

 

 

 

 

As you can see...

1. ...statements in reported speech are introduced by verbs such as tell, say, add, answer, or advise, suggest, etc.

2. ...questions in direct speech are introduced by ask, want to know, or inquire , wonder, etc.

3. ...commands in direct speech are introduced by ask (when meaning "pedir"), or request, order, command, etc.

Icono de IDevice de pregunta Self-Assessment activity

Decide whether the following reported sentences were a statement, a question or a command in direct speech.

1. The teacher ordered Paco and his friends to keep quiet.

 

  
a. Statement.
b. Question.
c. Command.

2. Paco wondered how he would go to Agra.
  
a. Statement.
b. Question.
c. Command.

3. Sonia asked Paco not to go out late in the evening.
  
a. Statement.
b. Question.
c. Command.

Icono de iDevice Reflexión

Would you like to know the conversation that the receptionist and Paco maintained in the hall of the hotel?

By Blackwych. C. Commons

Paco: Is the Taj Mahal very far?

Receptionist: Agra, where the mausoleum is located, is approximately 200 km. away from New Delhi. The best way to go there is by car.

Paco: Where can I rent a car in the city?

Receptionist: There is a car-hire business near the hotel. You only have to go down the street and turn the second left. It is fifty metres from the corner of the street.

Paco: Thank you very much for the information.

Receptionist: Wait a moment, please. Would you like to have a postcard of the Taj Mahal.

Paco: I would love to.

 

What difference can you see between this paragraph and the one above written in indirect speech ?

Some of the information the receptionist gives Paco is where he can hire a car ("There is a car-hire business near the hotel) and how he can get there ("You only have to go down the street and turn second left"). Have you ever asked for or given directions in English? Watch the following videos to learn it!
Icono IDevice Further knowledge

Some of the information the receptionist gives Paco is where he can hire a car ("There is a car-hire business near the hotel) and how he can get there ("You only have to go down the street and turn second left"). Have you ever asked for or given directions in English? Watch the following videos to learn it! Then, click here to read more on the topic.

 

 


To go on practising, click here and watch all the videos related to the subject. Finally, click here not only to get further information, but also further practise. Try it! You will improve your English!

After having introduced how questions and commands are reported and had a quick look at how directions are asked for and given in English, let's complete the topic talking about the Seven Wonders of the World.
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